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Zeus Arc S Hub vs Pax 2 Comparison
By
Alex Karakatsanis
Zeus Arc S Hub vs Pax 2 Comparison
October 6, 2023
on
Portable Showdown, Showdowns
Updated: October 6, 2023
While the Pax 2 can be considered old news, it’s still one of the most popular dry herb vapes in circulation. We thought it apt to compare it against a more recent release in the same price range, specifically the Zeus Arc S Hub. The Pax 2 was a standout in it’s era mostly thanks to its portable form factor and straightforward operation. But vaporizing tech evolved leaps and bounds in the 6 years since its initial release. Can it stand up to a newer 3rd generation vaporizer? That’s what we’re here to find out!
Zeus Arc S Hub vs Pax 2
Table of contents
How it Works
The Pax 2 is as simple as it comes. After grinding and loading your dry herb of choice. Simply press the center button to power the Pax 2 up. Temperature ramp up requires around 60 seconds or so after which you’re free to inhale. Given it’s small size the chamber holds up to 0.35 grams of dry herb. While the small chamber can be a bit of a drag for groups, it’s more than enough for solo enjoyers.
The Zeus Arc S Hub features the same straightforward operation with a temp ramp up of 80 seconds. What sets it apart however is that it’s designed for use with the included Arcpods only. Loading dry herb directly into the chamber isn’t an option with the Arc S which can be a pro or con depending on preference. Each Arcpod holds up to 0.3 grams of dry herb but unlike the Pax 2, the Zeus Arc S is a lot more suitable for multiple sessions in a row. (with the help of the included Zeus Xtruder).
Temperature Flexibility
Neither the Pax 2 nor the Zeus Arc S Hub support full temperature control. The Pax 2 makes use of 4 predetermined heat settings with a lowest temp setting of 180C and a max preset of 215. Instead of a digital display, the Pax 2 features LED indicators to relay it’s current power setting and status which work well enough given the simplicity of the device.
In contrast, the Zeus Arc S Hub has 3 temperature presets starting at 205C and topping out at 225C. Custom firmwares are also a thing with the Zeus Arc S Hub. This allows for a lower minimum vaping temperature that prioritizes flavor over vapor output. Custom firmware settings are also available for use with the Zeus Iceborn attachment. This forgoes the auto cooldown and motion sensors of the Zeus Arc GTS for longer and harder hitting sessions.
Vapor Quality
Unfortunately, flavor production is not one of the Pax 2’s stronger points. After heat up the first few inhales taste great, but the flavor tapers off during the 2nd half of a session. Another issue we’ve experienced with the Pax 2 is how it doesnt do a great job at fully extracting the dry herb inside the chamber. It’s not the most economical device, especially for those that are looking to squeeze the most out of their dry herb. Bumping up the temperature to the highest preset often failed to fully extract the dry herb while producing bland flavorless hits towards the end of a session. A big no-no in our books.
The Zeus Arc S Hub on the other hand produces great results straight out of the box. Airflow is smooth and controlled. Flavor production is on point, especially at the lower temperature presets. You can achieve even smoother hits by adding the Utillian bubbler paired with the Zeus waterpipe adapter.
Manufacturing Quality
Pax knows how to craft an attractive vaporizer, and this is especially true in the case of the Pax 2. The chassis sports a good level of quality machining, something we’ve come to expect from vaporizers in its price range. Despite it’s subpar vapor performance, it’s one of the more durable vaporizers we’ve come across given our test unit was already well over 5 years old.
There are some downsides however. The attractive albeit glossy finish of the Pax 2 is a huge fingerprint magnet. Grime, dirt, and hairline scratches easily show up on the exterior of the device. While this doesn’t affect its performance in any way, it’s something noteworthy to point out especially for the connoisseurs out there that like to keep their vaporizers looking brand new.
The Zeus Arc S Hub stands in stark contrast to the Pax 2 with its slightly textured hard anodized finish. Not only is it highly reluctant of displaying fingerprints, but the finish is also heavily scratch resistant. With proper care, the Zeus Arc S has the potential to look as good as the day you got it.
Battery Life
One of the hallmarks of the Pax 2 back in its day was the stellar battery life. Back then, 3000mAh of battery power was unheard of, especially for a device as compact as the Pax 2. Offering a total session time of up to 90 minutes in between charging cycles, it still manages to keep up with newer options on the market today.
One particular downside however is the proprietary charging cable. This required taking the charger along for the ride if you wanted to keep the Pax 2 battery topped up.
The Zeus Arc S with its 3500mAh lithium battery easily outstrips the Pax 2 in raw performance and longevity. Coupled with it’s micro USB charging port that allows for more flexibility when it comes to charging options, the Zeus Arc S Hub is the clear winner in this department.
Portability
With the dimensions of the Pax 2 measuring out to 98x31x22mm, it’s the more compact option between the two. It’s small size makes it a good choice for connoisseurs looking to conceal the vaporizer during use.
The Zeus Arc S is no slouch though. With it’s measurements at 87 x 42 x 22.5mm, it easily trades blows with the Pax 2 in this department. The ability to preload multiple Arcpods in advance makes consecutive sessions a lot easier on the Zeus Arc S.
Ease of Use
The Zeus Arc S Hub was designed to be fool-proof and totally accessible to both newcomers and veterans alike. The straightforward grinding and loading process provided by the included Zeus Xtruder and Arcpods result in more consistent performance, even when handled by a relative newbie.
The Pax 2 requires a level of finesse to get the grinding and packing technique down pat. We’ve had some sessions on the Pax 2 that felt decent, while other sessions offered some of the most disappointing results we’ve come to experience from a vaporizer in this price range.
The Pax 2 is also a chore to clean. This is mostly thanks to it’s small chamber size that tends to gum up easily. While the chamber of the Zeus Arc S Hub isn’t significantly larger by any means, the Arcpods do a great job of keeping the oven residue-free even after multiple sessions.
Overall Experience
We can definitely see why the Pax 2 has garnered its strong following since the day of its release. The excellent battery performance coupled with its diminutive size was a standout of its era 6 years ago. While it might not be so impressive today with similarly specced devices such as the DaVinci IQC, we have to give credit where it’s due.
Unfortunately, it’s overall performance is almost laughable in this day and age. This holds true especially when considering the relatively premium price point the Pax 2 demands. The Zeus Arc S Hub might not be the cheapest piece of vaporizing kit on the market, but it presents a vastly superior value with it’s included peripherals and better performance across the board.
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